The Ethics of Art Unions

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 232, 27 June 1932, Page 11

The Ethics of Art Unions

Sir, —Most of the advocates of State lotteries or the extension of art unions in New Zealand ask for some clearly defined reason why the State should not permit and even encourage this system of raising funds for purposes that are universally acknowledged to be beneficent. ' . The answer ia that gambling is ficent, and that the maxim “The result justifies the means” is intrinsically bad. To attempt to cloud the issue by saying that gambling is inherent in human nature is no argument The logical attitude of anyone who desires the good of his fellow man is to assist his weakness. Who would strew the path of a cripple with stones, “because he was sure to fall down anyhow”? His plain duty and desire If he is sincere in his desire to help his fellows, as we must assume these advocates of this method of supporting hospitals and such institutions to be, is to remove obstacles. This should be the attitude of the State, which is under an obligation to assist the individual to be an efficient unit of the nation, not assist him to become a burden to the taxpayer. It is idle of these advocates of State lotteries to ask ‘what harm can it do anyone to risk losing half-a-crown?” They well know that this does not disclose the whole truth. There are many who habitually buy whole books of tickets in every art union that comes along, and in doing so divert money that is indispensible to the efficient sustenance of their dependants.—l im. CHARITY. Nelson, June 20,